August Currently

Wow can't believe that is already August and the summer is coming to an end! I am cherishing every moment I get to spend with my daughter and I must say I am having an awesome summer...if I do say so myself!

Well onto Farley's wonderful Currently ( I never think I am doing these right as I am still unsure of all this technology related to websites)

 

 

Listening: My three year old makes me laugh and smile every single day with her singing abilities. She is entirely her mothers daughter because she loves listening to the music on Glee or Grease or Pitch Perfect or any movie/show that sings and dances. I know, I know some are inappropriate and she has no idea what she is saying or singing but when she remembers parts of the words or tries to dance like some of the characters it is hysterical. She is also really into singing Taylor Swift songs. Currently (no pun intended) she loves the song "22" She puts her fingers up for twos when she sings it in the song.

 

Loving: My hubby and I are leaving for a four day excursion to Niagara Falls. We have been planning this since January and I can't believe it is finally here and also kinda sad it is finally here because it means summer is coming to an end quicker than I hoped for. We are leaving Sunday and Sara will be staying with her grandparents (two nights at one and two nights at the other...sometimes its too much for one set of grandparents to handle for four nights) We are stopping in Cooperstown on the way so my hubby can see the Baseball Hall of Fame. I am kind of excited to see the women's section related to the movie, A League of Their Own

 

** Favorite part when he is giving the speech about their is no crying in baseball**

Thinking: I know I say this all the time but I need to be more on top of my blogging. I read daily about everyone else's and I never take the time to write on mine and after this summer of professional development to gear up for my grade change I have so much to share and to talk out with all of you wonderful bloggers.

Wanting: I read the other day on Clutter-Free Classroom blog about needing a personal laminator that I never knew I needed :) I decided spontaneously that she was right I did need it....so I went right onto Amazon and ordered myself exactly that and I can't wait to get busy laminating and creating

Needing: I am currently reading (again no pun) for pleasure Gone Girl Well I just started it because I didn't know what a great hit it was until just recently. I figure on the nice long 8 hour drive Sunday I can have time to read. Professionally I am reading Dave Burgess Teaching Like A Pirate I am loving the book I just need to get on top of it and finish it. If I was more organized I would have participated in the blog chat about it. Is that still going on does anyone know or have I missed it?



B2S: My wonderful father built me a second bookcase and this time he put it on wheels that I can move it easier and also because I have the creative idea to paint the back of it with chalkboard paint and be able to use it for teachning moments in small groups or whole groups whatever I fancy. Second thing is I need to get my hands on Clutter-Free Classrooms Curriculum Guide Packet. I hope that this will keep me more organized especially going into a year brand new and with a co-worker who is brand new to teaching. My third thing is I read on one of the many blogs about these Japanese brand markers that are wonderful for the classroom for many reasons called Frixion markers. This is the first I am hearing of them and I could not be more excited for them. Does anyone else use these? Do you find them beneficial as a purchase?

Well off to comment on some blogs and read what others are saying in this month's Currently

July currently

Hello all! Ting to get into a summer rythm of not only reading all the wonderful things posted by these awesome bloggers but writing on my own...yeah high hopes I know!

Anyhow how about a currently to get me going....







Listening: my 4 yr old loves the station the Hub in the mornings where cartoons like Little Ponies and Pound Puppies is on. I never cared for them as a kid but more power to her then loving all that stuff like Yo Gabba Gabba ( I know I said it I hate that show...I don't know why exactly it just bothers me)

Loving: My hubby and I missed the showing of the first season of The Following when originally aired but they are replaying over summer and I absolutely love it. So intense and addicting. I recently read a review of Gone Girl and thought I had to go out and pick it up. I am so glad I did! I'm really into it so far

Thinking: I work at Outback during the summer and occasionally during the school year and today is just one of those days I'm not motivated to get up and go,

Wanting: With changing grade levels this year I thought I'd get a new decor going and saw all cute things owl related and thought I want to do that. Can't seem to find anything quite yet but I'm hoping.

Needing: I'm teaching a week summer enrichment class about mysteries and I thought what better then a mystery Skype but now problem is to find someone else willing to answer my kids questions in the middle of the summer

Tips, tricks, hints: I feel like that is my new mantra for the summer. I just need to now keep repeating it to myself. Lets see how that goes over.

Next goal is to post for this Monday Made it ....check back soon!,

Mentor Text Linky

I am linking up with Staci and Amanda for their mentor text linky today. I am very excited about their linky parties because I feel excited and confident I can do a linky correctly since I do not do them often.

Well as for my mentor text during the beginning of the year iwasalays pulling out my trusty First Day Jitters book. It is one that I know the kids always loves well as I do to watch their faces when the surprising ending occurs.

However last year I was feeling I needed something else and that is when I stumbled upon Juice Box Bully. I am not sure where I first read about it but the book sparked my interest because in our school, being slow income area, we find that we have a lot of bullying among our older kids. We are constantly having assemblies and special clubs started for the kids to have an outlet away from bullying.

It is about a teacher who during  the first few days of school has anew kid enter the class and that student comes in fired up and ready to bully and show how tough he can be. The other kids in the class explain how they signed a contract to stand up for one another and not bully each other. They provide a sample of the contract in the book. My class and I wrote a very similar pledge/contract during our first few days and posted it as a reminder during those times it's difficult to get along or stand up to others.

So here goes the linky part. I hope I do this right!


Link up with Staci and Amanda and share what mentor text you use in the first few days of school!

Blog Lovin'

I am linking up with this fun linky party to find new blogs to read and admire as well as find fellow third grade bloggers (since now I will be moving to third)

Be sure to check out Tori's step by step instructions and follow some new blogs as well as gain some new followers. Please check out my blog at Bloglovin' !!!

Technology Question and a Move

Well I know that I have been M.I.A for a long time but this year really took it out of me and before I knew it the year was over. Well not exactly since kids last day is tomorrow and ours is Thursday....counting down the hours can you tell? 

My big news to end this crazy year is that I am moving grades. I am going from fourth to third. It is not that I care and I am excited for the challenge but I am nervous since there will be three third grade classes next year and the other two teachers are not set in stone yet. I am one who loves preparing and mapping it out over the summer (to an extent...trust me I won't miss our vacation time) and to not know and feeling on my own is a bit overwhelming. Any suggestions or advice from experienced third grade teachers I would appreciate it. Thankfully my girlfriend, Nicole, is also a third grade teacher at another school in the district so I know she will look out for me. 

Anyways my big goal this summer is to get creative and make QR math center activities as well as some poke cards for independent math practice. Thanks to Elizabeth in Fun in Room 4B and many others for their original work and my many purchases on TpT but this year I would love to show my creative side as well. Plus I am hoping that if I join back in on Tara's Monday Made It it will keep me more on track. However here is my big dilemma....I am unsure what program is best to create such things as a layout for cards that I can input the QR code on. Any suggestions? I know I sound childish or inexperienced but I would love to learn more. Any help or any advice would be greatly appreciated. 

More to come of pictures from this year and the fun activities we did as well as more posts.

-Lindsay

Using QR codes in Math Centers

I have been exploring ways to use QR codes throughout the day in different areas with my students. I find them so intriguing. I had previously used QR codes to conduct a scavenger hunt about American Revolution. I recently found on TpT through Flapjack Resources a variety of different skills that allow for self- monitoring with QR codes. Here are some pictures of their work. I am trying to do more blogging so here it goes.

April Currently

Linking up with Fab Farley's currently for April Currently

This is my second currently. It was still a little hard for me to understand how to do and post it but I had fun trying and look forward to updating more. Oh I do want to add that I am looking for advice as the easiest way to upload to the blog from your iPad. Are you just using Safari or is there an app? Thanks!